Using Your Planner - Get the Most Out of Your Planner with these Tips!

Tis the Season…to start buying planners!

I love this time of year. The fresh paper, the clean slate, the possibilities! Ahhh. Ok ok so you buy your planner, now what? Some planners are pretty spendy so depending on which route you went you could have spent upwards to $70 on a planner, but whatever the dollar amount, the planner is going to do you any good if you don’t use it right?! Let’s make this goal together, say it with me… “I will use my planner. I will use my planner.” Not sure if you can commit to using your planner? Don’t worry, I’m here to show you HOW to use your planner! {{ affiliate links can be found in this article, read my Disclosure page for more info}}

Some Tips on USING your planner

Write in it right away! Dates that won’t change is a great place to start. Birthdays, anniversaries, important school dates – all great places to start.

Does your planner come with a financial section? Start using it! This tool can seriously help you with your budgeting if you don’t already have a plan in place.

Goal tracking. A great planner should help you plan more than just your day, use the goals section to map out your goals for the upcoming year then break it down month by month. My planner has mini goals for each month, this is where I keep my big picture goals in mind me break them down.

Customize your planner! If you aren’t into stickers and colored pencils…trust me, you will be! There is no shortage of stickers online – try Etsy or Amazon or hit up Michael’s, they have a ton! Customizing your planner not only makes it fit your personality but it’s also a great way to make your time FUN.Planning a trip to the park? Use a fun sticker to block out that time and give you a fun visual reminder! Meeting a friend for coffee? An inspiring quote and a coffee sticker turn it into a fun memory you can look back at.

Schedule 15 minutes on Sunday, just for you (and your bag of stickers of course) to plan your week. Start with your appointments, next your to-dos, schedule your workouts, write out your groceries,reminders and then dress it all up! No item is too small! Have you been meaning to call an old friend but keep forgetting? Write it down! Need fitness motivation? Use a motivational sticker!

Leave your planner out where you can see it, opened. This way you can check things off throughout the day, manage your time, add items to your day…basically, you can USE it! I also like to write things in as I get them done, even small things like “laundry ✔️”. It gives me an accomplished feeling!

One more Tip…

I can’t tell you enough. Time Block. Time Block. Time Block. You’ll be amazed at how this will change your life, help you get organized and FREE UP YOUR TIME! Read about it here and here??

Do you have a tip that you’d like to share? Drop it in the comments or send me a message, I’d love to hear how you make sure you’re using your planner!